Yarn in Focus: Trap-art Trapillo

Super bulky yarn is one of those things that crafters often have a love–hate relationship with. That they work up super fast is a huge, huge plus, and they satisfy instant gratification pangs like no other material. If you need a last-minute gift and have only minutes in which to pull it together, put the super bulky to work and it’ll produce a good result that often needs no blocking. Just cast off, and you’re done. And it’s the perfect yarn for hot summer days when wool can feel a bit sticky to the hand.

The less fun bit? Much depends on how you feel about working with large hooks and needles of 12 mm and above. Some find it hard going and unwieldy – but read on anyway if you do, because we found a work-around.

All of this is a slightly long-winded introduction to Trapillo, the new kid on the Sunspun block. The yarn comes in large balls (bales?) and a little goes a long way. We aren’t told the meterage on the band, but we made six of those bowls pictured above and still have heaps of yarn left over.

This swatch was knit in 12 mm needles in woven stitch. We cast on 17 stitches and it measures exactly 17 cm wide and its thickness comes in at about 1.5 cm. As expected, the fabric is sturdy with little give, which makes it ideal as placemats or pot coasters.

Make a large rectangle, fold in half and slip-stitch up two sides to make a clutch or computer slipcase. Nothing is going to slip out of that fabric, it is that strong.

Source: Crate & Barrel

If you’ve ever admired the dramatic knitted poufs that can be found in department stores, here’s a chance to make your own; there are patterns to be found online.

Baskets of any size are endlessly useful and make wonderful gifts; we think Ilse Devriendt’s crochet hanging basket is perfect for use inside and outside the home.

Source: crochetincolor.blogspot.com.au

This ombre basket was crocheted in worsted weight wool, but would work as well in Trapillo.

And we came up with these little crochet fabric bowls that are utterly addictive to make, that do not involve using large hooks at all. What you do is make single crochets to encase the yarn, and stack the coils as you go. The principles of crocheting a coaster apply here.

We used summer yarns from our yarn-tasting packs for these, and they all have quite different characteristics. Clockwise from top left: Shibui Twig, Rowan Summerspun, Isager Palet and Isager Bomulin.

Best of all, you can use leftover yarn to create different effects, and it’s perfect to showcase a loved yarn. Just know that the thicker the contrast yarn, the sturdier the bowl. We have the pattern instore and on Ravelry if you want to have a play.

We also have Finnish designer Molla Mills‘ Modern Crochet book, which is full of great projects – jewellery, accessories, rugs and homewares – that use this yarn. The sky’s the limit!